Martial Cultivator

The Great Liang Emperor had many heartfelt words to share. Perhaps the gentle empress once listened to them, or perhaps she understood his thoughts without him needing to speak. However, since her time, there has been no one in the entire Great Liang or in the world who could make the Emperor speak so openly.

This young man before him was worthy, but the outcome was uncertain.

Chen Chao quietly observed the Emperor. The two of them were entangled in too many issues. The relationship between their families was undeniably close. After all, their parents were siblings. Yet, despite this closeness, their relationship had ended in a conflict that was irreconcilable till death.

"Turns out that His Majesty aims to bring peace for all eternity. Such ambition is truly admirable."

Over the years, the Great Liang Emperor had accomplished much. Although he did not expand the empire's borders, he managed to bring stability to the four seas, improving the lives of Great Liang's people significantly. However, his ambitions were not limited to this; it was merely a beginning, not his ultimate goal.

What he wanted was to restore the dignity of the human race and to ensure that the countless citizens of Great Liang could live with honor and integrity.

Back then, during the Upheaval of Yong'an, when the demon race invaded and the human race lost thirty thousand miles of territory in the desolate north, the shame became a deep and enduring mark on the human race, forcing them to bow their backs.

Subsequent generations of monarchs, whether intentionally or unintentionally, failed to straighten that backbone.

Chen Chao took a deep breath and looked at the Great Liang Emperor. "I have a question I'd like to ask Uncle."

This term, "Uncle," carried deep significance and was the first time Chen Chao addressed the Great Liang Emperor this way to his face. The Great Liang Emperor looked at Chen Chao calmly too and suddenly smiled. "We already know what you want to ask, but you may still ask."

Chen Chao asked solemnly, "Was my father killed by you, Uncle?"

Sure enough, from the moment the Great Liang Emperor learned of Chen Chao's background, he had no intention of doing anything to him. Whether due to their shared blood or the Empress' dying wish, the Emperor never harbored thoughts of killing Chen Chao again. From a ruler's perspective, Chen Chao was a potential threat, especially as a young genius. While he was still alive, or as long as the kingdom remained stable, the potential danger was mitigated. But after his death, the throne that he snatched might need to be returned. Even if not for the sake of the throne, he had to consider his descendants.

Therefore, killing Chen Chao would always be the safest choice.

It would also be the easiest decision for most emperors.

In the imperial family, there were no kin. He even killed his older brother and snatched his throne, what difference would it make to kill another nephew?

But people differ, as do emperors. The Great Liang Emperor did not mind this, and thus, did not kill him because he did not want to.

Not only did he spare him, but he also truly regarded him as his nephew. He granted him the right to bear arms, sent an imperial decree to Sword Qi Mountain, and even allowed him to take the Thousand Year Glacial Stone, thereby building momentum for him in Great Liang. This was not just an uncle's concern for his nephew; it also demonstrated that the Great Liang Emperor always saw Chen Chao as a kindred spirit.

Perhaps it was uncertain before Chen Chao's journey to Sword Qi Mountain, but after that trip, the Great Liang Emperor became fully convinced.

"My father was acclaimed as a man of extraordinary talent, no less than you, Uncle. Presumably, he must have been a cultivation genius too. How could such a person die suddenly? No matter how you look at it, it doesn't make sense. Please enlighten me, Uncle."

Chen Chao looked earnestly at the Great Liang Emperor. Between uncle and nephew, no evidence was needed at this moment. One simply had to speak, and the other would naturally believe.

"Your father, Our elder brother, was indeed an exceptional talent, whether in governance or cultivation, surpassing Us. This is why Emperor Lingzong doted on him so much and why, despite being criticized as foolish, he insisted on passing the throne to your older brother after your father’s death. 'The love for the house extends even to the crows perching on its roof', sometimes, this phrase seems utterly illogical."

The Great Liang Emperor's eyes were filled with complex emotions, and he said with some nostalgia, "Your father and We were such close brothers back then."

Among the many princes of the late Emperor Lingzong, it was well known that the current Emperor and the late Crown Prince had the closest relationship, which was a beautiful story at the time.

"We never had any thoughts of becoming Emperor, nor did We harbor any ambition to vie for the throne. As for killing your father, We didn't do it. His death was indeed not as simple as the words 'sudden death' suggest. In fact, the causes of death for our previous emperors of Great Liang were never that simple."

The Great Liang Emperor looked fatigued. The title of Emperor was something countless people yearned for, but how many understood what it truly meant, what responsibilities it entailed, and what it demanded?

Chen Chao softly asked, "Foreign lands?"

The Great Liang Emperor said calmly, "We are still investigating. Once We have answers, We will tell you, but it likely has something to do with those two words."

Chen Chao pondered for a moment and then said quietly, "My father had a great reputation and was a peerless talent of his generation. If such a person became Emperor, it would naturally be something they wouldn't want to see."

A dynasty required many people at all levels, but having a capable Emperor was naturally the most crucial.

"When We returned from the Northern Frontier, We encountered an assassination attempt. Even that Temple Master of the Infatuation Daoist Temple came to see Us afterwards. But do you think that was the first attempt on Our life?"

The Great Liang Emperor said calmly, "This world is like that, there has never been a lack of things hidden in the dark. When you killed those qi refiners and then decided to stay under Our eyelids, it was the only choice. Otherwise, you would have been dead already."

Chen Chao smiled wryly, "If it weren't like this, I wouldn't have wanted to return to the Divine Capital."

The Great Liang Emperor gave a faint smile and continued, "The Great Liang is too big, and there are many places We cannot see. Therefore, injustices persist. Even when We see certain things, for the greater good, We must sometimes turn a blind eye. The grander the goal, the more one must endure. But enduring now is only for the sake of not enduring later."

Chen Chao nodded, understanding this reasoning.

"But a young man like you hasn't reached such heights and don't need to worry about these matters. So, you can still be full of spirit. Sometimes, when We look at you, We think of myself when We were young, full of passion. Unfortunately, those days are gone and won't come back."

The Great Liang Emperor chuckled, for the first time showing a look of affection in his eyes.

Chen Chao said, "Your Majesty still has a passionate heart, it has nothing to do with age."

The Great Liang Emperor laughed heartily, "We have heard countless flattering words in this life, but today, hearing you say that truly makes Us happy."

Chen Chao smiled without speaking, feeling that some things that had weighed on his mind had now dissipated.

At this moment, it was the first time that Chen Chao truly acknowledged that this Emperor before him was his uncle.

However, Chen Chao immediately threw out another question, "If one day, this subject's identity is revealed, how will Your Majesty handle it?"

The Great Liang Emperor did not answer directly but instead smiled, "We'll see?"

Chen Chao also smiled and did not press further.

The uncle and nephew, sovereign and subject, exchanged a smile that seemed to resolve past grievances.

"This journey north, one of your tasks is to observe the emerging talents among the demon race. The demon race has an extraordinary Demon Emperor, but he's Our opponent, not yours to worry about. But as for future matters, We fear We won't have many solutions. Henceforth, the future of Great Liang lies in your hands, in the hands of that girl you like, and in the hands of you youngsters. But above all, Our only request is that you return alive. Every generation has its duty, and your era is in the future. Don't be in such a hurry to die now. Although We can shield you from the storm, We won't shield you from everything. How can one grow without experiencing hardships?"

The Great Liang Emperor said softly, "Our three sons might barely manage to govern a country, but in the future, whether it's dealing with the demon race or the foreign lands, they won't have any solutions. So, We place great hope in you. You must understand this."

Chen Chao joked, "I don't know why, but I always feel that my reputation in the history books won't be very good."

The Great Liang Emperor laughed, "We have already shouldered the infamy and We don't care either. You and I are uncle and nephew, why should you care about that? "Besides, isn't your current reputation terrible?"

Chen Chao helplessly smiled, "The foreign lands speak ill of me, and the world doesn't know me. Your Majesty's words are truly disheartening."

The Great Liang Emperor just smiled and did not say more.

……

……

Outside the pavilion, the autumn rain gradually ceased.

The heart-to-heart talk was coming to an end. The Great Liang Emperor waved his hand, and Chen Chao withdrew after giving a bow. However, just as he stepped outside the pavilion, the Great Liang Emperor suddenly called out to him.

Chen Chao turned around and looked at his uncle. Sometimes, he felt that this man was very big and tall, like a towering mountain; daunting and insurmountable. Other times, he seemed no different from any ordinary elder.

"Chen Chao, We want to tell you that as long as you don't let the Great Liang down, no matter what you do in the future, We won't blame you."

"We are destined to leave before you. When we meet again in the afterlife, without the bonds of sovereign and subject, us uncle and nephew can truly enjoy a good drink together."

The Great Liang Emperor looked at the young man before him and said warmly, "Everyone in the world can die, nothing is more important than not letting down the Great Liang."

Chen Chao smiled and shook his head, "Why wait until we're dead to drink? Why not enjoy it now?"